4 Answers
4

sorta kinda works the same way in Photoshop. Use the fact that a selection is defined independently of layers:

assuming that the object to subtract is all by itself on it's layer B:

Cmd-click on the layer icon of layer B, to select the shape's outline

make layer A active (the selection is still the outline of the shape in B)

hit delete (or menu Edit->Clear)

hide or delete layer B

Let's now assume your object is in the form of a vector mask. You could rasterize it, then it's normally editable. Or, you could create a layer mask from the selection (you created earlier from the other vector mask) to hide what's underneath.

That looks exactly like what I want to do, however when I get to 3) and hit del, I get "Could not complete your request because the content of the layer is not directly editable" (layer A contains just a vector shape). Am I meant to do this in illustrator or similar instead?
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RazorMar 4 '12 at 18:37

pulled up the solution from my comment to the article. thanks @iWasRobbed
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Florenz KleyJan 18 '13 at 11:44

I have been trying to do this (well atleast what i think you are trying to achieve) for quiet a while now.. but never knew what to do.. i understand this is old but i thought for those who are still looking around for an Updated/more specific(CS6) answer all you have to do is

select the two shapes in layer panel with ("cntrl + click" (this is for windows))

i made sure that the one i cut out is on top of the other(i am certain that is necessary) and than right click on the two on the main screen.. (work area) and there is a tab available that says "subtract front shape" and that works perfectly..

You should be able to use the Magic Wand tool in photoshop to select the shape then EDIT >> CUT. Depending on the version of photoshop you can then use the new Content Aware Fill to fill in the spot where the shape used to be.

"Could not use the magic wand because the target is a fill layer". I am working with 2 vector shapes, much like 2 circles made with ellipse tool, I thought wand was for raster images?
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RazorMar 4 '12 at 17:31

Ahh didnt realize they were vectors. I dont know Illustrator that well but I think that is the way your going to have to go since it is far better equipped with working with vectors than PS>
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xXPhenom22XxMar 4 '12 at 18:26